Camp TALON (Teen Adventures Learning Ornithology & Nature)

Introduction

TALON is a one-of-a kind camp for teens with a strong interest in the outdoors, birding and ecology. Each day the adventure begins as we travel by charter bus to barrier islands, state parks, wildlife management areas and refuges along Georgia’s coast. Evening classes challenge our campers with presentations and quizzes about bird identification, songs, behavior, flight, migration and other “birdy” topics. At camp’s end we come home with new and improved birding skills, a better understanding of coastal ecology, and great memories!

Length of each camp: 6 days, 5 nights.
Availability: Space for 18 campers at each session.
Serious students: For beginning to experienced birders who don’t mind long, hot, sometimes “buggy” days on beaches and marshes.
Ages: Boys and girls ages 14–19. Older birders who have attended before may be eligible for internships.
3:1 student/teacher ratio. Trips, classes led by biologists, ornithologists and environmental educators, each with 20+ years of experience.
Sponsors: Georgia Department of Natural Resources, TERN, Georgia Ornithological Society and Georgia Audubon Society.

Camps

Next year’s camp is tentatively scheduled for June 1-6. Interested campers should expect to see pre-application instructions on January 16, 2024.

Contacts

For more information on Camp TALON, contact:

Bob Sargent: bob.sargent@dnr.ga.gov, 404-291-8124

Group standing on boardwalk Group on Sapelo Island beach Group on a boat

You Might Also Be Interested In:

Out My Backdoor: a Favorite Oriole

My favorite oriole is the orchard oriole. This might come as a surprise since it is North America’s smallest oriole. It is also not as flamboyantly colored as Georgia’s largest and better-known Baltimore oriole. Each April, I look forward to that special morning when I hear the first orchard oriole of the year. This year I heard my first on April 11. The orchard oriole’s song, which is most often sung by the male, is difficult to put into words. Perhaps it is best described as a rambling song that commences on high notes and ends in lower tones.

click here to read more about this article

Out My Backdoor: My Winter Bird-feeding Strategy

Winter bird-feeding is a favorite pastime among thousands of Georgians. However, as is the case in so many endeavors, some folks enjoy more success than others. This begs the question: Is there a secret to their success?

Out My Backdoor: Connect Kids to Nearby Nature

The spread of COVID-19 is having an unimaginable impact on our lives. In an effort to stave off the spread of this dreaded disease we are being asked to make major changes—changes that are challenging for adults and children alike.

Out My Backdoor: Make Your Yard a Winter Wildlife Wonderland

Winter is our harshest season of the year. Yet seasonal shows, songs such as Winter Wonderland and even Christmas cards portray a far different image. Snow-covered landscapes are beautiful and offer great places for us to enjoy traditional winter activities such sliding down snowy hillsides and building snowmen.

Out My Backdoor: The Winter Home of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

I strongly believe that if a survey were conducted to determine which bird is the favorite of most Georgians, when all the votes were tabulated the winner would be the ruby-throated hummingbird.

Out My Backdoor: Bluebird Migration

The eastern bluebird is one of our most beloved birds. One reason for its popularity is that its beauty can be enjoyed without having to gaze at the bird through a pair of binoculars.

featured